Officer shoots, kills suspected thief in Inman Park

ATLANTA -- An Atlanta police officer shot and killed a suspect while responding to a report of a man breaking into cars on North Highland Avenue Wednesday.

Police spokesman Officer John Chafee said the officer encountered a man in a parking lot. Chafee said the officer and the suspect got into a physical altercation that escalated. Tthe officer shot the suspect, who died at the scene.

Detectives say evidence indicates that the suspect did break into a car at the scene. He has not been identified; Chafee described him as a man in his early to mid-30s.

The officer, who was slightly injured in the scuffle, will be placed on routine leave, Chafee said.